Ford plans to derive more models from single platform

Ford Motor Co. plans to triple the number of nameplates it develops from a single platform.

"Any platform that we lay down now will have a very wide variety of derivatives planned from it," said Richard Parry-Jones, product development head for the company.

"The ratio of derivatives to a platform is going to change quite a bit over the next three years. Nowadays, the average derivative to platform is about 2.5 models. In the future it will be more like seven or eight," said Parry-Jones.

The intent is to save the automaker money by creating a wider range of nameplates and models with less investment.

Though he would not discuss product plans, he said the 2003 Volvo XC90 is an example of how a platform was adapted to create a crossover vehicle with its own styling.

"That's largely derived from a sedan base, the (Volvo) 70 parts. If you look underneath it, you will find the suspension components are different; not all of them, but some of them, because the track is wider than the sedan it is based on.

"On the whole it has a lot more in common with its sedan siblings than it does with any SUV."

Another example of Ford's platform sharing is expected to start with the new Mazda 6 sedan.

An industry source said Ford is expected to use the Mazda 6 platform to create several vehicles under the Mercury, Mazda and possibly Ford brands.

Mazda 6 assembly begins this year at the AutoAlliance International Inc. plant in Flat Rock, Mich.

The Mazda architecture likely will be used to develop a sporty wagon for Mazda similar to its MX Sport Tourer concept.

It also could be used as a replacement for the Mercury Sable; a Ford or Mercury sedan that has a tall roof and a high seating position; and possibly one other Mazda-branded vehicle.

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